Joinable figure toy

ABSTRACT

To provide a joinable figure toy having a high degree of freedom in building, a joinable figure toy includes a trunk part, left and right arm parts and left and right leg parts. A spherical portion is formed at a hand portion of each of the arm parts, and a receptacle portion configured to be joined with the spherical portion trough ball-and-socket joint is formed on a foot portion of each of the leg parts. The arm parts and the leg parts are provided rotatably on the trunk part. In addition, the joinable figure toy can be formed into a shape mimicking a character.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application is based upon and claims the benefit of priority under 35 USC 119 of Japanese Patent Application No. 2017-024631 filed Feb. 14, 2017, the contents of which, including the specification, claims, drawings and abstract, are incorporated entirely herein by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a joinable doll figure toy which is played with by being joined with a figure toy or toys of the same type.

Description of the Related Art

There have conventionally been proposed joinable doll figure toys which can be played with by being joined with a figure toy or toys of the same type. For example, in the related art figure toys, an infant figure toy is known which is made up of joinable body parts such as a head part, left and right arm and leg parts. In these body parts, a spherical end is provided on one of the arm parts, and a C-shaped receptacle portion is formed on the other arm part. Additionally, a C-shaped receptacle portion is formed on one of the leg parts, and a spherical end is provided on the other leg part. The spherical ends can be brought into engagement with the receptacle of either of the arm part and the leg part. Thus, the figure toy is completed by joining the body parts together.

Normally, the figure has a front (a front surface) and a back (a back surface), and the figure also has different expressions to be provided depending upon how the figure is oriented. In the related art figure toy described above, the body parts can be joined together only in a specified orientation, this imposing a limitation on a joining method. This, in turn, limits the play mode of the figure toy which is completed by joining the body parts together.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

An object of the invention is to provide a joinable figure toy having a high degree of freedom in building it up.

According to an aspect of the invention, there is provided a joinable figure toy of the invention including a trunk part, left and right arm parts and left and right leg parts, wherein a spherical portion is formed on a hand portion of each of the arm parts, and a receptacle portion configured to be joined with the spherical portions through ball-and-socket joint is formed on a foot portion of each of the leg parts.

According to the invention, since the body parts can be joined together with all the body parts arranged to show their front surfaces or back surfaces to a player or with some of the body parts arranged to show their front surfaces and the other body parts arranged to show their back surfaces to the player, it is possible to provide the joinable figure toy having a high degree of freedom in building it up.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWES OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1A is a front view of a joinable figure toy according an embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 1B is a side view of the joinable figure toy according to the embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 1C is a rear view of the joinable figure toy according to the embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 2A is a bottom view of the joinable figure toy according to the embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 2B is a sectional view taken along a line IIb-IIb in FIG. 2A showing the joinable figure toy according to the embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 3A is a drawing showing a joining example of two joinable figure toys according to the embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 3B is a drawing showing a joining example of three joinable figure toys according to the embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 4 is a drawing showing a building example using joinable figure toys according to the embodiment of the invention and decorative members.

FIG. 5 is a drawing showing another building example using joinable figure toys according to the embodiment of the invention and decorative members.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

Hereinafter, an embodiment of the invention will be described based on the drawings. FIG. 1A is a front view of a joinable figure toy 1, FIG. 1B is a side view of the joinable figure toy 1, and FIG. 1C is a rear view of the joinable figure toy 1. The joinable figure toy 1 mimics a human figure and has a trunk part 2, a head part 3, arm parts 4 (a left arm part 4 a, a right arm part 4 b) and leg parts 5 (a left leg part 5 a, a right leg part 5 b). In the following description of the joinable figure toy 1, the left arm part 4 a represents a left side of the joinable figure toy 1. Similarly, the right arm part 4 b represents a right side, the head part 3 represents an upper side, and the leg parts 5 represent a lower side of the joinable figure toy 1.

A spherical portion 41 is formed at a distal hand portion of each of the left arm part 4 a and the right arm part 4 b. The left arm part 4 a and the right arm part 4 b are joined together by a first transverse shaft 43 at proximal portions 42 which correspond to shoulders of the figure toy 1. The first transverse shaft 43 is inserted rotatably in through holes 21 which are provided in the trunk part 2 so as to open to the left and right.

A receptacle portion 52 is formed on a sole portion 51 of a foot portion of each of the left leg part 5 a and the right leg part 5 b. The receptacle portions 52 are joined with the spherical portions 41 through ball-and-socket joint. The left leg part 5 a and the right leg part 5 b are joined together by a second transverse shaft 54 at proximal portions 53 thereof which lie to face the trunk part 2. The second transverse shaft 54 is inserted rotatably in through holes 22 which are provided in the trunk part 2 so as to open to the left and right below the through holes 21.

Here, a peripheral configuration of the receptacle portion 52 will be described. FIG. 2A is a bottom view of the joinable figure toy 1, and FIG. 2B is a sectional view of the joinable figure toy shown in FIG. 2A taken along a line IIb-IIb shown in FIG. 2A. The sole portion 51 is formed as a substantially flat surface which is recessed shallowly in relation to a circumferential edge 51 a. The receptacle portion 52 is defined by a spherical inner surface 52 a which defines a space corresponding to part of a spherical shape . An inside diameter of an opening edge 52 b of the receptacle portion 52 is formed narrower than an inside diameter of the spherical inner surface 52 a. By adopting this configuration, once a spherical portion 41 of another joinable figure toy 1 is brought into engagement with the spherical portion 52 inside thereof, the spherical portion 41 is prevented from being dislocated easily from the receptacle portion 52 by the opening edge 52 b.

A pair of substantially rectangular notched portions 521 a, 521 b are formed in the opening edge 52 b. The pair of notched portions 521 a, 521 b are disposed so as to lie in opposite positions in relation to the opening edge 52 b. The notched portion 521 a on a front side of the joinable figure toy 1 is provided further transversely outwards than the notched portion 521 b on a rear side of the joinable figure toy 1. The notched portions 521 a, 521 b are formed into grooves which are shallower than the receptacle portion 52. Bottom portions 521 c of the notched portions 521 a, 521 b are disposed above a center position P5 of the receptacle 52. The opening edge 52 b can be deformed so as expand diametrically when a predetermined magnitude of force is applied thereto in a radially outward direction by providing the pair of notched portions 521 a, 521 b. This allows even an infant to locate and dislocate the spherical portion 41 into and from the receptacle portion 52.

Returning to FIGS. 1A to 1C, the first transverse shaft 43 and the second transverse shaft 54 are disposed substantially parallel. Here, when a center position of the spherical portion 41 is referred to as P4, and a center position of the spherical inner surface 52 a of the receptacle 52 is referred to as P5, the center position P4 and the center position P5 substantially coincide with each other in relation to the transverse direction. In addition, a rotational radius of the center position P4 about the first transverse shaft 43 is substantially the same as a rotational radius of the center position P5 about the second transverse shaft 54.

The joinable figure toy 1 has non-interferential portions 11 defined outwards of the left leg part 5 a and the right leg part 5 b. The non-interferential portions 11 are formed by narrowing transverse widths of the leg parts 5 near the proximal portions 53 thereof. Thus, the left arm part 4 a including the spherical portion 41 and the right arm part 4 b including the spherical portion 41 can be rotated without interfering with the left leg part 5 a and the right leg part 5 b, respectively. On the other hand, the left leg part 5 a and the right leg part 5 b are allowed to rotate forwards 90 degrees but are restricted from rotating backwards as a result of a locking projection on the second transverse shaft 54 being locked on a locked projection provided inside the trunk part 2 (not show).

As shown in FIGS. 1B and 1C, a substantially hexagonal hole portion 231 is formed on a back portion 23 of the joinable figure toy 1. The hole portion 231 is provided in a substantially vertical middle position between the first transverse shaft 43 and the second transverse shaft 54. Additionally, the hole portion 231 is disposed in a substantially transverse center position of the trunk part 2.

Next, using or playing examples of the joinable figure toy 1 will be described. FIG. 3A is a drawing showing a joining example of two joinable figure toys 1 a, 1 b.

In the two joinable figure toys 1, leg parts 5 are rotated forwards, and arm parts 4 are rotated upwards. Then, receptacles 52 of the joinable figure toy 1 b are joined with spherical portions 41 of the joinable figure toy 1 a, whereby a frame-like joined structure 101 which opens leftwards can be formed by the two joinable figure toys 1 a, 1 b. The spherical portions 41 of the joinable figure toy 1 a which are in engagement with the receptacles 52 of the joinable figure toy 1 b are kept so engaged due to the spherical portions 41 being prevented from being dislocated easily from the receptacles 52 by the opening edges 52 b. In addition, the spherical portions 41 are allowed to move rotationally within the receptacles 52 so that the angles of the arm parts 4 can be controlled freely in relation to the corresponding sole portions 51. A maximum rotational angle of the arm part 4 is controlled as a result of a boundary portion 44 between the spherical portion 41 and the arm part 4 being brought into abutment with the opening edge 52 b.

The joined structure 101 can also be formed into an L-shape as a whole by extending the leg parts 5 of the joinable figure toy la or the leg parts 5 of the joinable figure toy 1 b (refer to FIG. 1B). The joined structure 101 can be formed into a straight line as a whole by extending the legs parts 5 of both the joinable figure toy 1 a and the joinable figure toy 1 b. In this way, the joined structure 101 can be formed into a plurality of configurations by using the two joinable figure toys 1 a, 1 b. Moreover, the joinable figure toys 1 a, 1 b can be joined together with all their body parts arranged to show their front surfaces or back surfaces to a player or with some of the body parts arranged to show their front surfaces and the other body parts arranged to show their back surfaces to the player.

FIG. 3B is a drawing showing a joining example of three joinable figure toys 1 c, 1 d, 1 e. The joinable figure toys 1 c, 1 d, 1 e extend leg parts 5 and rotate arm parts 4 upwards. The left arm part 4 a of the joinable figure toy 1 c which is disposed in a lower position in FIG. 3B is joined with the right leg art 5 b of the joinable figure toy 1 e which is disposed in an upper position. The right arm part 4 b of the joinable figure toy 1 d which is disposed in another lower position in FIG. 3 is joined with the left arm part 5 a of the upper joinable figure toy 1 e. In this way, a substantially triangular plate-shaped joined structure 102 can be formed by using the three joinable figure toys 1 c, 1 d, 1 e.

FIG. 4 is a drawing showing a building example using joinable figure toys 1 and decorative members 6. FIG. 4 is a left side view of a joined structure 81 which mimics a vehicle which is built up from a plurality of joinable figure toys (1 f to 1 l) and a plurality of decorative members 6. The decorative members 6 include a body frame 61, front wheels 62, rear wheels 63 and other body parts 64 to 68. In the following description based on FIG. 4, a left-hand side denotes a front of the joined structure 81 and an opposite side to the left-hand side denotes a rear of the joined structure 81.

The front wheels 62 and the rear wheels 63 have axle portions and are attached rotatably to the body frame 61. A plurality of spherical portions 60, having a substantially identical shape or outside diameter to that of the spherical portion 41, are provided on the body frame 61. The joinable figure toys 1 f to 1 i are fixed to the body frame 61 by causing their receptacle portions 52 to be joined with the spherical portions 60 which are provided on the body frame 61. The body part 66 and the body part 67 are attached to hole portions 231 of the joinable figure toy 1 g and the joinable figure toy 1 h, respectively.

The joinable figure toy 1 j is joined with the joinable figure toy 1 f in such a state that leg parts 5 of the joinable figure toy 1 j are bent slightly downwards (forwards in relation to the joinable figure toy 1 j). Spherical portions 41 of the joinable figure toy 1 j are joined with receptacles (not shown) in the body frame 61.

The joinable figure toy 1 k is joined with the joinable figure toy 1 l in such a state that arm parts 4 of the joinable figure toy 1 k are bent slightly downwards (forwards in relation to the joinable figure toy 1 k). Receptacle portions 52 of the joinable figure toy 1 k are joined with the spherical portions (not shown) inside the body frame 61.

The joinable figure toy 1 l is joined with the joinable figure toy 1 k via leg parts 5 thereof which are directed upwards. Spherical portions 41 of the joinable figure toy 1 l are joined with receptacle portions (not shown) inside the body frame 61. In addition, the body part 68 is attached to a hole portion 231 of the joinable figure toy 1 l.

In this way, the player can play with the joinable figure toys of the invention by building up the joined structure 81 mimicking the vehicle using the plurality of joinable figure toys 1 f to 1 l and the decorative members 6 or by using the joined structure 81 as the vehicle. In addition, there is imposed no limitation on the directivity of the joinable figure toys 1, and the arm parts 4 and the leg parts 5 can rotate. Thus, the player can build up the joined structure 81 by handling the joinable figure toys 1, as it were, as part of the vehicle body.

FIG. 5 is a drawing showing another building example using joinable figure toys 1 and decorative members 7. FIG. 5 shows a front view of a joined structure 82, which mimics a robot, built up by using a plurality of joinable figure toys (1 m to 1 w, 1 r 1, 1 t 1, 1 v 1, 1 w 1) and a plurality of decorative members 7. The decorative members 7 include a head part 71, a trunk part 72 (a chest part 721, a left shoulder part 722, a right shoulder part 723, a back part 724), arm parts 73, (a left hand part 731, a right hand part 732), and leg parts 74 (a left leg part 741, a right leg part 742). In the following description based on FIG. 5, a side of the joined structure 82 facing the head part 71 represents an upper side, and a side facing the leg parts 74 represents a lower side of the joined structure 82. In addition, a side of the joined structure 82 facing the left-hand part 731 represents a left-hand side, and a side opposite to the side facing the left-hand part 731 represents a right-hand side of the joined structure 82.

The head part 71, the chest part 721, the left shoulder part 722, the right shoulder part 723 and the back part 724 are formed integrally or separately. In the case where the head part 71, the chest part 721, the left shoulder part 722, the right shoulder part 723 and the back part 724 are formed separately, they can be constructed so as to rotate predetermined angles individually.

A left arm part 821 of the joined structure 82 includes the left shoulder part 722, the joinable figure toys 1 m, 1 n, and the left-hand part 731. The joinable figure toy 1 m is joined with the left shoulder part 722 at a hole portion 231 thereof (not shown). The joinable figure toy 1 m is joined with the joinable figure toy 1 n. The joinable figure toy 1 n is joined with the left-hand part 731 via spherical portion 41 thereof (not shown).

Similarly, a right arm part 822 of the joined structure 82 includes the right shoulder part 723, the joinable figure toys 1 o, 1 p, and the right-hand part 732. The joinable figure toy 1 o is joined with the right shoulder part 723 at a hole portion 231 (not shown). The joinable figure toy 1 o is joined with the joinable figure toy 1 p. The joinable figure toy 1 p is joined with the right-hand part 732 via a spherical portion 41 thereof (not shown.

The left arm part 821 which includes the two left joinable figure toys 1 m, 1 n and the right arm part 822 which includes the two right joinable figure toys 1 o, 1 p can individually be rotated leftwards and rightwards. For example, the left arm part 821 rotates about a spherical portion 41 of the joinable figure toy 1 m, and the right arm part 822 rotates about a spherical portion 41 of the joinable figure toy 1 o.

A left arm part 4 a of the joinable figure toy 1 p is joined with the joinable figure toy 1 m. A right arm part 4 b of the joinable figure toy 1 r is joined with the joinable figure toy 1 o. Additionally, a spherical portion 41 (not shown) of a right arm part 4 b of the joinable figure toy 1 q and a spherical portion 41 (not shown) of a left arm part 4 a of the joinable figure toy 1 r are joined with receptacle portions which are formed in the chest part 721.

The two joinable figure toys 1 q 1, 1 r 1 are also disposed on sides of the joinable figure toys 1 q, 1 r which face the back part 724 in the same orientation as that of the joinable figure toys 1 q, 1 r. The joinable figure toy 1 q 1 is joined with the joinable figure toy 1 m and the chest part 721. The joinable figure toy 1 r 1 is joined with the joinable figure toy 1 o and the chest part 721.

Further, the joinable figure toys 1 q, 1 r, 1 q 1, 1 r 1 are joined with the four joinable figure toys 1 s, 1 t, 1 u, 1 t 1 (the joinable figure toy 1 t 1 is disposed behind the joinable figure toy 1 t) at lower portions thereof. The joinable figure toy is is joined with the joinable figure toys 1 q, 1 q 1. The joinable figure toy 1 t is joined with the joinable figure toys 1 q, 1 r. The joinable figure toy 1 u is joined with the joinable figure toys 1 r, 1 r 1. The joinable figure toy 1 t 1 is joined with the joinable figure toys 1 q 1, 1 r 1.

The four joinable figure toys 1 s, 1 t, 1 u, 1 t 1 are joined with the four joinable figure toys 1 v, 1 w, 1 v 1, 1 w 1 at lower portions thereof. The joinable figure toys 1 v, 1 w are disposed on a front side of the joined structure 82, and the joinable figure toys 1 v 1, 1 w 1 are disposed on rear sides of the joinable figure toys 1 v, 1 w. These joinable figure toys 1 v, 1 w, 1 v 1, 1 w 1 are disposed so as to face the joined structure 82 on their front sides or back sides. Thus, in the joined structure 82, knee parts 823 can be formed which can rotate forwards and backwards in relation to the joinable figure toys 1 s, 1 t, 1 u, 1 t 1 via spherical portions 41 of the joinable figure toys 1 v, 1 w, 1 v 1, 1 w 1. Consequently, the joined structure 82 can represent extending and flexing motions of the knee parts 823.

The joinable figure toys 1 v, 1 v 1 are joined with the left leg part 741 at lower portions thereof. The joinable figure toys 1 w, 1 w 1 are also joined with the right leg part 742 at lower portions thereof. In this way, the joined structure 82 can be played with by building up the plurality of joinable figure toys 1 m to 1 w, 1 q 1, 1 r 1, 1 t 1, 1 v 1, 1 w 1 and the decorative members 7 or by using the completed joined structure 82 as a robot.

The joined structures 81, 82 are described as being built up as the vehicle and the robot in FIGS. 4 and 5, respectively. In addition to this, the player can play with the joinable figure toys 1 of the invention by combining the plurality of joinable figure toys 1 together or combining the plurality of joinable figure toys 1 with appropriate decorative members to fabricate a toy building, a toy weapon, a toy clock and the like.

Thus, the embodiment of the invention has been described heretofore. However, the invention is not limited thereto but can be carried out in various forms. For example, the joinable figure toy 1 may mimic the shape of a human being, an animal and a fish, as well as the shape of an imaginary character.

In the description of the embodiment, the joinable figure toy 1 is described as being constructed so that the left arm part 4 a and the right arm part 4 b are joined together by the first transverse shaft 43 so as to rotate integrally. However, a configuration may be adopted in which the left arm part 4 a and the right arm part 4 b are connected to the transverse shaft 43 at different angles so as to rotate at the different angles integrally or independently. Further, a configuration may be adopted in which of the left arm part 4 a and the right arm part 4 b, one arm part 4 is fixed to the trunk part 2, while the other arm part 4 is connected to the transverse shaft, so that only the other arm part 4 can rotate.

As to the leg parts 5, similarly, the left leg part 5 a and the right leg part 5 b may be connected to different transverse shafts so as to rotate independently of each other. Additionally, the left leg part 5 a and the right leg part 5 b maybe connected to the second transverse shaft 54 at different angles so as to rotate at the different angles integrally or independently. Further, a configuration may be adopted in which of the left leg part 5 a and the right leg part 5 b, one leg part 5 is fixed to the trunk part 2, while the other leg part 5 is connected to the transverse shaft, so that only the other leg part 5 can rotate.

The arm part 4 may be configured in such a way that an elbow portion is provided in a middle position between the spherical portion 41 and the proximal portion 42 so as to allow the arm part 4 to extend and flex about the elbow portion. Similarly, the leg part 5 may be configured in such a way that a knee portion is provide in a middle position between the receptacle portion 52 and the proximal portion 53 so as to allow the leg part 5 to extend and flex about the knee portion.

The bottom portion 521 c of the notched portion 521 may be disposed in a position which coincides substantially with the center position P5 of the receptacle 52 or which lies lower than the center position P5. By doing so, the joining strength can be enhanced. Further, only one notched portion 521 may be provided on the opening edge 52 b, as long as the opening edge 52 is allowed to hold the expanding function.

The shape of the hole portion 231 is not limited to the substantially hexagonal shape. Thus, the hole portion 231 may be formed into other angular shapes, circular shapes or other hole shapes. Further, the joinable figure toy 1 may also include an angular or circular hole portion which is provided at a different portion on the back portion 23, on a front side of the trunk part 2, or at an appropriate portion of the head part 3, the arm part 4 or the leg part 5. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A joinable figure toy comprising a trunk part, left and right leg parts and left and right leg parts, wherein a spherical portion is formed at a hand portion of each of the arm parts, and wherein a receptacle portion configured to be joined with the spherical portion trough ball-and-socket joint is formed on a foot portion of each of the leg parts.
 2. The joinable figure toy according to claim 1, wherein the arm parts and the leg parts are provided rotatably on the trunk part.
 3. The joinable figure toy according to claim 1, having a shape mimicking a character.
 4. The joinable figure toy according to claim 2, having a shape mimicking a character. 